Queries over Namaz

[humanbeing]

• Is performing Namaz in front of mirror allowed or not allowed ?
• Can Namaz be performed in the basement as well ground level at same time in any premises ?
• Why do some muslims fold hands while other keep them straight during standing in Namaz ?
• Why do some muslims raise an index finger during sitting in Namaz while some don’t ?
• Is Namaz performed in Arabic recitations only ?
• Why do fellow performers of Namaz are advised to remain quiet or not recite during Imamat Namaz, when only Imam is reciting loudly ?

[mmv]

One more :
why to remove metal objects, like watches, spectacles, Belt,..etc..why rings on finger not removed..?

[Muslim First]

• Is performing Namaz in front of mirror allowed or not allowed ?

To pray Salah in front of a mirror is Makruh (disliked) if it will affect ones concentration in prayer.

In the famous Hadith of Jibrael,
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) reminded followers to perform worship 'as if you are observing your Lord, and if you cannot imagine that, then that He is observing you'.

Clearly, a mirror may affect ones concentration. It is the same reason why performing prayer when food is ready on the table is also disliked. The Prophet explicitly ordered followers to eat first and then perform Salah, so he can concentrate on one thing at a time

[anajmi]

• Can Namaz be performed in the basement as well ground level at same time in any premises ?
Yes

• Why do some muslims fold hands while other keep them straight during standing in Namaz ?
The prophet (saw) is known to have prayed both ways. Hence followers who received their information from those who saw him praying with his hands straight, keep their hands straight and those who received their information from those who saw him praying with his hands folded, pray with their hands folded.

• Why do some muslims raise an index finger during sitting in Namaz while some don’t ?
They do that when they say "La Ilaha Illallah". To signify that there is only one God.

• Is Namaz performed in Arabic recitations only ?
Yes. However, you can make Dua in your own language after completing Namaz.

• Why do fellow performers of Namaz are advised to remain quiet or not recite during Imamat Namaz, when only Imam is reciting loudly ?
Why does a teacher ask students to remain silent while he is taking a lecture? Why aren't the students allowed to repeat loudly after the teacher? The basic principle is the same. In an Imamat namaz you are supposed to listen to the Imam who is reciting the quran in the namaz as that is the etiquette of praying in a congregation.

[humanbeing]

Hi MF
Thanks for your response.
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Hi Anajmi
Thanks for your responses

A particular community hall was not permitted, because Namaz was being performed in basement as well ground level by the congregation during imamat prayer. Reason stated by authorities was that its not allowed in Islam.

Are there any guidelines in Holy Quran with respect to performing Namaz ?

Can a person recite translated meanings of the Niyats, Suraa and duaas during Namaz, will it be counted as valid Namaz ?

Imagine a situation in a normal scenario : When group of muslims gather to perform Namaz other than masjids or community hall, usually at the roadside or open spaces. One muslim brother takes a lead as Imam and others behind him. In such situation, if reciting Imam makes a mistake of any kind, say; misread / skipped a suraa, skipped a rakat etc then what shall be done in such situation. Isnt it better to perform Namaz by ourselves so that our mistakes remains our own and we can rectify.

[Muslim First]

A particular community hall was not permitted, because Namaz was being performed in basement as well ground level by the congregation during imamat prayer. Reason stated by authorities was that its not allowed in Islam.

No such restriction exist in Qur'an or sunnah.

Most of Bohra Masjids has second floor (called First floor in India) where Bohra Bairao pray fird and sunna prayers.
Are they lesser Muslims? Why are they not praying on ground floor?

Next time clergy B.S. you, please ask them to Quote Qur'an or Hadith of Prophet SAW

[seeker110]

Next time clergy B.S. you, please ask them to Quote Qur'an or Hadith of Prophet SAW
Muslim First

Salam band karwao ge.

[anajmi]

Can a person recite translated meanings of the Niyats, Suraa and duaas during Namaz, will it be counted as valid Namaz ?

No. You should look at the translated meanings of everything you are reciting in any case. But you cannot recite it in another language.

if reciting Imam makes a mistake of any kind, say; misread / skipped a suraa, skipped a rakat etc then what shall be done in such situation.

If there is a brother who has learned the Quran, he can correct the Imam if he knows that the Imam has made a mistake. If no one behind the Imam knows the Quran, then you would have to wait till the day of judgement to figure out if the Imam had made a mistake or not. In anycase, your salah will be accepted, inshaallah, even if the Imam makes a mistake. If you are certain that you won't be making a mistake while doing your individual salah, then you should become the Imam. Praying with Imamat has a lot of advantages. First, your reward is multiplied 25 - 27 times. Secondly, you get the reward equivalent to the best salaah in the congregation. For eg. you were praying while thinking about work but another person in the congregation was praying with full concentration on his namaaz, then you will get the same reward as him because you were in the same congregation. If the Imam's salaah is the best, then you will all get the same reward as the Imam.

[humanbeing]

Which is Afzal Namaz :
• Shifaa, Vatr and Julus or Fajr ?
• Duhur or Asr ?
• Maghrib or Esha’a ?

Allah Forgive me for comparing namaz as such, but in curiosity I m asking. Sometime or most of time preceding namaz (Shifaa, vatr, julus, Duhur & maghrib ) is missed. And Perform successive namaz (Fajr, Asr & Esha’a). There is guilt-in-heart that I may be missing out on important or more afzal namaz.
Please correct me wherever wrong.

[profastian]

A particular community hall was not permitted, because Namaz was being performed in basement as well ground level by the congregation during imamat prayer. Reason stated by authorities was that its not allowed in Islam.

No such restriction exist in Qur'an or sunnah.

Most of Bohra Masjids has second floor (called First floor in India) where Bohra Bairao pray fird and sunna prayers.
Are they lesser Muslims? Why are they not praying on ground floor?

Next time clergy B.S. you, please ask them to Quote Qur'an or Hadith of Prophet SAW

Where did this come from
Ofcourse there is no restriction on the women performing namaz on the ground floor, and they generally do it on the ground floor except on Ramadan and Moharram because of congestion.

[humanbeing]

HI Prof and MF

This particular question was not understood ! I dint ask about floors above the ground floor, but basement ! Particular Community hall (Markaz) where usual Ramadan Namaz used to take place. Due to lack of space, arrangement to pray namaz was done in basement right below ground floor where Imam is leading the prayer, there was a small window carved out on the ground floor behind Imam in order to establish contact with presiding Imam leading the prayer. Kuwait Islamic authority (Awqaaf) objected to this practice and conveyed that its not allowed in Islam to pray in basement in joint congregation. Well this was a reason conveyed by jamat members when contruction was raised down.

Also many elders in the community mention one rule not allowed at place of Namaz
Eating or Drinking at place / spot of Namaz !
Is this also true ?

[humanbeing]

@MN : lol !! we come across this situation, forget women, men can jump with cat reflexes with cockroaches and mouse running about.

Another point is , during Ramadan usually there is fist fight over spilled tea over kurta pyjama and masalla ! its hilarious to see 2 bohra brother or sister fight !! and hilarity is doubled when one or both happen to be Wagads !!
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On a serious note : Jamat shall advise or arrange (Nizaam) for iftaar in a place away from Masalla. Usually in Kuwait muslims eat at buffet table arranged in the Sehan or garden of masjid. Most of them carry dates or raisin to break iftaar on Adaan. Complete the prayers and then enjoy meals away from masalla.

[Muslim First]

Br Humanbeing
AS
It seems you have lot of questions on prayers.

Mainstream Islam (Sunnis if you want to say) follow Qur'an and sunnah of Prophet. Sunna of Prophet is derived from sayings of Sahaba from oral tradition and finally recorded in books of Ahadit. I would suggest you read those Ahadith related to prayers.To start you off here is link and table of content:

http://spl.qibla.com/Hadith/H0002P0000.aspx

The Sahih Collection of al-Bukhari
by Imam Muhammad Ibn Ismail Ibn Ibrahim Ibn al-Mughirah Ibn Bardiziyeh al-Bukhari
Translated by: Ustadha Aisha Bewley

Table of Contents:
• Chapter 1: The Beginning of the Revelation
• Chapter 2. The Book of Belief (Iman)
• Chapter 3: The Book of Knowledge
• Chapter 4. The Book of Wudu'
• Chapter 5: The Book of Ghusl
• Chapter 6. Book of Menstruation
• Chapter 7: Book of Tayammum
• Chapter 8: Book of Prayer
• Chapter 9: Clothing in the Prayer
• Chapter 10: The Qibla
• Chapter 11: Mosques
• Chapter 12. The Sutra of the One who Prays
• Chapter 13. Book of the times of the Prayer
• Chapter 14. Book of the Adhan
• Chapter 15: The Group Prayer and the Imam
• Chapter 16. The Description of the Prayer
• Chapter 17. Book of Jumu'a
• Chapter 18. Book of the Fear Prayer
• Chapter 19. Book of the Two 'Ids
• Chapter 20. The Witr Prayer
• Chapter 21. The Rain Prayer
• Chapter 22. Book of Eclipses
• Chapter 23. The Prostration of Qur'an Recitation
• Chapter 24. Shortening the Prayer
• Chapter 25. Tahajjud Prayers
• Chapter 26. Chapters Dealing with Actions in the Prayer
• Chapter 27. Chapters on Forgetfulness (sahw)
• Chapter 28. The Book of Funerals
and some more

Wasalaam